Bülent Arınç divides AKP rule into two eras, issues warnings: 'Fix the system'

Bülent Arınç, one of the founders of the AKP, former Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), and former Deputy Prime Minister, has made notable assessments as his party approaches its 25th anniversary. Arınç, who has not been active in politics since 2015, called on the party he helped found to "return to its founding principles."

Responding to questions from BBC Türkçe at his office in Ankara's Hamamönü district, Arınç described the AKP's early period by emphasizing reform, the European Union goal, and institutional consultation. Stating that they came from the Milli Görüş tradition, Arınç said that the "conservative democrat" identity was adopted at the founding of the AKP, and that supporting the European Union constituted a significant difference from their previous political line.

ASSESSMENT OF THE TWO-PERIOD AKP

Arınç divided the AKP's rule into two periods. Evaluating the process up to 2013 positively through steps taken in health, transportation, energy, and democratization, Arınç described this period as "magnificent." He argued that after 2013, developments regarding the FETÖ structure, the war in Syria, the July 15 coup attempt, the end of the first resolution process, and the Gezi Park protests affected the government's balance.

GOVERNMENT DID NOT SUPPORT ERGENEKON TRIALS

In his assessment of the Ergenekon trials, Arınç denied that the government supported the trials, using the phrase "Absolutely not." Arınç stated that while there were scenarios in the indictments aimed at overthrowing the government, other elements were added to the trials during the process, and that this was not right.

"GEZI LEFT A DEEP IMPACT ON ERDOĞAN"

Stating that the July 15 coup attempt was a surprise to him, Arınç expressed that he was aware of the developments surrounding the December 17-25 corruption investigations and the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) Undersecretariat, but that news of coup preparations had not reached his ears. Defining the Gezi Park protests as an "uprising," Arınç stated that the process left a deep impact on AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

"THEY BARELY TOLERATED ME"

Explaining that his role in politics diminished with Erdoğan's election as president in 2014 and the subsequent change in the government system, Arınç recalled that he joined the Presidential High Advisory Board in 2019 and resigned about a year and a half later. Regarding that process, Arınç said, "They probably barely tolerated me. I left there. And I did very well by leaving."

WARNING TO FIX THE SYSTEM

Stating that the AKP needs a new reform movement, Arınç said that the party could continue its path with different names while remaining committed to the same fundamental principles. The former Deputy Prime Minister summarized his final message with the words, "Fix the system, and place importance on competence, merit, and consultation."